Sunday Words of Encouragement December 29, 2019

We have bee enjoying a visit with our son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Thankfully it has not been overly cold but still, I managed to get a cold for the first time this year. I slept late (and missed church) and I had a long nap this afternoon (longer than the kids) as I try to knock out the bug.
It is surprising that this is the last Sunday of 2019 as we prepare to enter 2020 on Wednesday!

I had picked this song to share today.

Verses for Today
Psalm 46:10-11 NIV
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Sharing Beyond Books #385 Comment Giveaway December 28, 2019

Hello again and Welcome back to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.
This event won't be back until after the new year so I wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year going into 2020!
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Three commenters have no local library, three haven't been to the library in a long time so don't know what is offered; two don't know anything special at their library and four have active libraries with events for children and sometimes adults.

The Winner from SBB #384 comments is: #1 MIKI who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post. -- [11/16/19 I plan to add some review books this week and maybe some new Christmas and Love titles as soon as I locate the box I put them in.  10/5/19 I have pulled some new books and will be adding them to the list in the next week or so.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #385

(One Question.)

Becky asks: Is there anything right now that you would change to make your day or week easier??

I thought this was a good question to ponder for the New Year. I have thought about ending this giveaway but I enjoy the sharing time with those who participate. I plan to continue to ponder the question.

 
Image found at Amazon.com - Daily Routine 2020.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month, I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.
December Questions were provided by Elizabeth and Becky who have each earned a full book choice.

Your turn to share. Becky asks: Is there anything right now that you would change to make your day or week easier??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday, January 11, 2020, at 5 PM central.

Audio Book Review: Someone to Care by Mary Balogh

As usual, I enjoyed this Historical Romance by Mary Balogh.

Someone to Care
Written By: Mary Balogh
Narrated By: Rosalyn Landor

Publisher: Recorded Books
Date: May 2018
Duration: 11 hours 25 minutes
Genre: Historical Romance,Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Summary:
Once the Countess of Riverdale, Viola Kingsley throws all caution to the wind when adventure calls in the form of a handsome aristocrat. Two years after the death of the Earl of Riverdale, his family has overcome the shame of being stripped of their titles and fortune-except for his onetime countess, Viola. With her children grown and herself no longer part of the social whirl of the ton, she is uncertain where to look for happiness-until quite by accident her path crosses once again with that of the Marquess of Dorchester, Marcel Lamarr. Marcel Lamarr has been a notorious womanizer since the death of his wife nearly twenty years earlier. Viola caught his eye when she herself was a young mother, but she evaded his seduction at the time. A prize that eluded him before, she is all the more irresistible to him now although he is surprised to discover that she is as eager now for the excitement he offers as he is himself. When the two defy convention and run away together, they discover that the ties of respectability are not so easily severed, and pleasure can ensnare you when you least expect it.

Review:
Viola Kingsley has been dealing with the revelation on the death of her husband the Earl of Riverdale, that her marriage was invalid and her children were born out of wedlock. Although the Earl’s true heir is willing to share the estate fortune, Viola has stayed apart and quiet. Her eldest daughter has made a new life and marriage that she is happy with. Her son has taken a commission in the army and her youngest daughter, soon of age to enter society, is still at home with Viola. After a family gathering Viola has a private meltdown. She takes off on her own, not even taking one of the family carriages.

When the rented conveyance results in her being stranded at a nondescript country inn, Viola is surprised to see someone she knows across the room. Marcel Lamarr had flirted with Viola 15 years before but she had told him to go away. Her first marriage was arranged by her father and there was no love between Viola and the Earl but Viola has always been proper and stayed in her duties and circumstances. Viola has accepted that she may not be destined to have a “happy ever after.”

Marcel is a rake who doesn’t believe he is entitled to a normal married life. Marcel sends his brother on home without him so that he can approach Viola. He proposes that they ‘run away’ for a few weeks and to his surprise she agrees.

Marcel isn’t the easiest character to like but Viola is able to pull him out of his shell. I enjoyed their growing relationship and the dilemma they find themselves in when their families discover their tryst. Although these characters flout convention, as usual, Balogh creates a situation of conflict that resolves into a HEA. I recommend this author and this story to those who enjoy historical romance.

Audio Notes: Rosalyn Landor is a wonderful narrator for this genre. Her accents fit the characters and she is able to give each one a voice and fitting personality. I enjoyed listening to this novel.

Source: July 2019 Audiobooks.com two for one credit. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal.

#NetGalley Book Review: Strands of Truth by Colleen Coble

This is a good Christian Romantic Suspense.
Strands of Truth
by Colleen Coble

File Size: 5603 KB
Print Length: 337 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0718085884

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (September 10, 2019)
Genre: Christian, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

Suspense, romance, and generational secrets meld in this engrossing new novel from USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble.
Strands of Harper Taylor’s childhood are resurfacing—but will the truth save her . . . or pull her under?
Harper Taylor is used to being alone— after all, she grew up in one foster home after another. Oliver Jackson finally took her under his wing when she was a runaway teenager, and now Harper pours her marine biology knowledge into Oliver’s pen shell research. But she’s never stopped wishing for a family of her own.
So when a DNA test reveals a half-sister living just two hours away, Harper is both hopeful and nervous. Over warm cinnamon rolls, Harper and Annabelle find striking similarities in their stories. Is it just a coincidence that both their mothers died tragically, without revealing Harper and Annabelle’s father’s name?
Oliver’s son Ridge still sees Harper as a troubled teen even all these years later. But when Oliver is attacked, Ridge and Harper find themselves working together to uncover dangerous secrets that threaten to destroy them all. They must unravel her past before they can have any hope for the future.

Review:
Harper’s mother died when she was born, and Harper struggled in foster care. As a thieving fifteen-year-old, she was surprised when Oliver Jackson took her under his wing. His own children, Ridge and Willow were not happy about the attention their father gave to this wild child, not really recognizing all the gifts they took for granted. Oliver has remained Harper’s mentor and support as she pursues her marine research involving pen shells.

Now, aged 30. Harper is determined to have her own family so, with no boyfriend in sight, she is hoping to get pregnant by fertility implantation. Oliver isn’t thrilled by this decision but once again he is there to support her. He has tried to help her discover her biological father but with little success.

Harper has finally found a DNA match in Annabelle who appears to be an older sister. They had different mother’s and neither knows their father. As they begin to share their histories and the accidents that led to the deaths of their mothers, they become more determined to uncover the identity of their father.

However, they didn’t realize that their probing would bring trouble. Suddenly Oliver is attacked, then Harper. It isn’t clear what the motive is for the attacks, but Ridge is prepared to stand by and protect his father and Harper. The more time he spends with Harper, the more he realizes that she honestly cares for his father and wasn’t just out to get a free ride.

When Annabelle is kidnapped Harper and Ridge become even more concerned. They are joined by Annabelle’s sons, one of whom is a police officer, in searching the old files for any clues.

The story has plenty of personal conflict and tension, as well as a mystery with leads to keep them moving and asking questions. I liked both Harper and Ridge as characters and was glad when they began to work together. I enjoyed the mystery plot set in Florida and the interesting tidbits about the pen shells. I also liked the faith that gives a firm foundation to the main characters.

I have read several books by Colleen Coble and I enjoy her clean style, well-written suspense and romance and the faith elements in her writing. I recommend this to readers who enjoy romantic suspense.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 27, 2019

Happy last 2019 Friday!  

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.

INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the December 20, 2019 Pick. There were No automatic wins again this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no titles blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from December 20, 2019 Pick:
DI gets Fascination by Stella Cameron (Body of Evidence remains available.)
and
ASHFA gets a GC.

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

I hope you had lovely celebrations and maybe some good reading!
Image found at Pinterest shared by Beyond Survival in a School Library.

New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019

PAIRS:
Connie Brockway: My Pleasure and My Seduction
Stella Cameron: Body of Evidence and Fascination
Singles:
A Notorious Proposition by Adele Ashworth
My Lord and Spymaster by Joanna Bourne
A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs
Long, Lean and Lethal by Heather Graham
False Colours by Georgette Heyer
Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper
Treasures by Lisa Jackson (hardback)
No Limits by Alison Kent
The Education of Mrs. Brimley by Donna MacMeans
The Wedding Affair by Leigh Michaels
A Highlander's Temptation by Sue-Ellen Welfonder


New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

PAIRS:
Joan Johnston The Bodyguard and The Bridegroom
Nora Roberts: The MacGregor Grooms (1998) and The MacGregor Brides (1997)
SINGLES:
Siren's Song by Trish Albright (personally autographed)
Dawn Encounter by Jennifer Blake
Flame Lily by Candace Camp (spine creasing)
The Wedding Promise by Carolyn Davidson
The Devil's Daughter by Lara Drewry
Touch of Texas by Tracy Garrett (now Texas Gold)
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES
Innocent as Sin by Elizabeth Lowell (hardback)
Tempt Me by Lucy Monroe
Abandon by Carla Neggers
The Perfect Gift by Christina Skye


New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Forged in Steel by Maya Banks
The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett
Eco-Sisters: The Car by P. Ryan Hembree and Mary Ann Gustin
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
Pursuit by Karen Robards
Murder at Granite Falls by Roxanne Rustand
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls


New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

Roxanne Becknel: When Lightning Strikes
SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
Almost Forever by Linda Howard
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

One PAIR:
Susan Wiggs: Snowfall and Fireside
SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
A Rancher for Christmas
Christmas Haven
Christmas Homecoming
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:

Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

Stella Cameron: Key West
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

There are three audios at the top:
Kisscut is Cassettes
SINGLES
Best Laid Plans by Allison Brennan
Darkness Tell Us by Richard Laymon
Cooking Most Deadly by Joanne Pence


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
PAIRS
James Patterson NYPD Red 2 and NYPD Red 3
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon by Lacey Baker
The Final Judgment by Richard North PattersonAudio Cassettes
Firebird by Janice Graham
No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
The Maverick Preacher by Victoria Bylin (personally autographed)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
To Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
White Night by Jim Butcher
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff


This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Daring by Jillian Hart
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost NINE years I have posted 88 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,429 books to find new homes! (as of November 8, 2019).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,292+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!